Where can I legally download Win 7 from?

[Denis54]

My PSU has died and it killed my MB and my CPU at the same time. I need to build a new PC. I cannot find where my Win 7 discs are. Fortunately I have noted my product key separately so I still have it.

Is there any place I can legally download Win 7 from and use it with my legit product key?

[sswilson]

Not that I know of unless it's a retail product and you're a technet subscriber (aprox. $250 / year).

Best bet is to find somebody local to you who's got exactly the same type of Win7 and get a copy from them, although even that is stretching the rules.

[scruff]

Try borrowing a friend ,relative etc's Win 7 disk but use your product key . I've had to do it a couple of times for friends and solong as you don't use their key you are OK

[BrianHanna]

i would just torrent it, im pretty sure if you register it, it will update properly.

[supaflyx3]

torrents :\

[ipaine]

As the above have started that is most likely the easiest way to go about it. It is not theft as you never really are paying for the disk in the first place. The only thing you are paying for is the product code/license.

As long as you are using your code then you are perfectly legal.

[Squeetard]

But you have to make sure you get the same release your key is for. Most downloads are for volume license keys. A retail or oem key won't work.

[Shadowmeph]

Microsoft Download Center: Product Family Search Results check there

[sswilson]

Not sure if that will work (shows an "evaluation" copy), but might be worth a try.

In all honesty, I don't know why Microsoft doesn't make its OS downloads available for folks who've got legitimate keys, and/or offer to sell activation keys to go along with it.

[AkG]

I know at one point you could phone MS up and say "my disk got screwed", jump through a crap load of hoops and for a small reasonable price (IIRC is was like ten bucks) they would send you a new CD w/ NO key in the mail. No clue if they still do that as it has been many years since I havent had access to technet!

IF all else fails and you cant borrow an install disc, phone em up. Whats the worst that can happen? :)